Main Chapter: Qing Ruo Academy.

2039 of the Black Lightning Grand Sage, 3rd day of the first month of Spring. North-west, Central Plains of the Greater Lands. Qing Ruo Mountain, Major Cultivating Ring, Xuan Estate. Time: 06:24.

In the Xuan manor more specifically, Xuan Yu's room. Li Zi was combing out Xuan Yu's hair as the latter drifted in and out of sleep. Though Li Zi had wanted to comfort Xuan Yu after his results. The other seemed so calm and relaxed that she felt there was no need.

Realizing the comb had stopped three minutes after it did. Xuan Yu rose up and turned to Li Zi who had been waiting patiently.

Xuan Yu was dressed in a simple, light grey inner robe. With a black waist belt with a light grey fold that stopped just above his knees. The pants he wore were of the same light grey and the black boots he wore reached under his knees. His opened outer robes were the same light grey as the inner robes, but they seemed to shine. On the back was an elaborate image of the Qing Ruo mountains. An image that seemed alive, for if one looked closely around the buildings they could see the little dark creatures representing mortals moving about. The image was truly elaborate and infused with fine craftsman and Qi.

Xuan Yu dressed up like this seemed to develop an enchanting power on those around him. However, the sleepy look he had and his half-closed eyes, only made Li Zi smile. Reaching up she fixed the elaborate grey crown-like hairpin that was keeping Xuan Yu's back-length hair over his shoulder.

Finished she gave a nod of approval and Xuan Yu left. Watching him go, she grew forlorn, today was the day the Qing Ruo Academy would be taking in its students. If she wasn't a common servant girl, even if she was born to an average family. She could have gone or at the very least tried to attend and as she was 15. She would have been in the same generation as the Xuan brothers.

"My 100 years compared to your 1,000. A decade will soon be brief to you but for me, it will change everything about me."

Sighing softly Li Zi, returned to her servant duties.

Hearing Li Zi's words, Xuan Yu, knew what to give to repay her. Seeing Xuan Yi, who had come to meet him. He stepped forward and Xuan Yi did not fall behind him but walked at his side.

Then the two realized, they were roughly the same height. Together they took the long wall from Xuan Yu's Vermilion Court to the Xuan Estate Dining Hall.

As they entered, they saw Ong Zhou and Ong Jun seated together at one end of the center of 5 dining tables that could hold 20 people.

The servants near the wall bowed and others entered with fresh hot breakfast for the brothers.

"Xuan Yi, Xuan Yu come sit eat well. Today is your first day at the Academy. Though the first day tends to be lax it is taxing in its own way. So, fight past any anxiousness you might have. A healthy meal is the most important part in handling a taxing day."

"Thank you and greetings, Uncle."

Xuan Yi alone responded inclining his head before he took his seat at the other end of the table, to Xuan Yu's right.

While the brothers ate silently Ong Zhou chattered endlessly. A show of caring for his wife, the brothers, the estate and the servants.

"Xuan Yu, I'm disappointed in you. Initially, I thought to hold my peace. But would I not be letting down your mother and father if I did. Xuan Yu, I understand that you might be jealous of Xuan Yi's talent. And I have even let you skip out on the celebrations for him after the test and yesterday. But I cannot let this go by, have you even congratulated your brother?"

Throughout the entire meal, Ong Zhou had been making a show of glancing at Xuan Yu with an increasingly disappointed expression. Now, finally, he launched into his tirade with an aggrieved voice.

Stunning Xuan Yi momentarily and bringing back memories for Xuan Yu. Realizing he hadn't done it for albeit different reasons. In the past, shock. In the present, preparing a set of certain tools.

"Congratulations, foolish little brother."

"Xuan Yu! It is one thing to be jealous. But mocking one (doing) better than you. Instead of trying to improve. Does nothing but belittle yourself! Xuan Yu are you not only lacking in talent but demeanor as well?"

Xuan Yu, of course, ignored Ong Zhou which only made the latter fume more. Seeing that Xuan Yu was about to finish his meal Ong Zhou closed up his act.

"Xuan Yi, forgive your brother; the results of the evaluation must have been hard on him. Do not take his words to heart and take care of yourself at the Academy. Your Aunt and I love you both as if you were our own."

Finished with his meal Xuan Yu got up while Xuan Yi gave a stiff nod to the husband and wife before leaving with Xuan Yu.

As the two were about to leave the Xuan Estate, the Head Butler a bald, old cultivator who was Ong Zhou's, right-hand man. Brought two drawstring bags for the brothers filled with pocket money, boxed lunches, and other miscellaneous items.

"Though an old servant like me may not have the right. I wish Young Master Xuan Yi and Young Master Xuan Yu to have a blessed walk on the Cultivator's road."

"Oh, you know his name?"

"Whatever do you mean Young Master Yu? How could we the servants of Xuan not know the name of our young masters? Ah, I see as we explained to Young Master Yi during the celebrations. Many of us have not served a household of the esteem of the Xuan. So, in the past, we would only call the Clan name in the greeting. Realizing this was much too distant for us who have watched you both grow up. We chose to address the young masters by their full names. Forgive us loyal servants for our presumptuousness."

Finishing his practiced speech, the old butler lowered his head and Xuan Yi hastened for him to raise it.

'And I suppose when the attention from my fall has faded. You'll realize it is inappropriate to call our full names or more specifically my name at all.'

Xuan Yu unwilling to point things out further for Xuan Yi did not say this and left, placing the bag over his shoulder.

After saying goodbye to the old butler Xuan Yi rushed outside.

The early morning light was filling Qing Ruo and the air was misty and chill. But the finely made robes of the Xuan brothers kept them more than warm. Running down the stone pavement that parted the dew filled grass. Xuan Yi caught up to his brother. And seeing his brother's sleeve he remembered how he used to always clutch on it. Embarrassed he moved to his brother's side.

Together they got into one of the Xuan family's carriages and in silence, they drove out the Major Family Ring. Their departure coincided with the Fan Family's and together with the two carriages. Drove down Qing Ruo Mountain and as they passed the Minor Family Ring. The carriages from the other family paused and moved to the side to allow the other two to move ahead of them.

Once they reached the Healing Ring the Fan Family carriage changed directions.

Reaching the Educating Ring they turned right and head toward Qing Ruo Academy. Seeing the Xuan carriage several families made way and the carriage came to a stop at the massive white gates and wall of the Qing Ruo Academy.

The carriage driver got down and opened the door for the brothers before bowing respectfully.

Seeing the Xuan carriage, the crowd outside the gate was filled with chatter. And when the siblings finally alighted the chatter only increased. However, they moved out of the way and even the student who was being checked by the gatekeeper retreated.

Xuan Yu didn't hesitate, but Xuan Yi paused momentarily. Hearing his name on so many lips left him feeling awkward. He was seizing up but then he stepped forward. His face was cold and his bearing arrogant. He was mimicking Xuan Yu as he fell into place with the latter.

Quickly most of the gossip around them stopped. Catching up the two stood before the gatekeeper. A woman with a mess of shoulder-length, curly black hair. With a scarred face a black eyepatch and a lone beady black eye. She was dressed in a white outer robe and a black inner robe with purple linings. The attire of the Reflecting Moon Sect.

In her right hand was a data card and in the left was a pen. Floating in the air beside her was a stack of data cards.

Seeing the two who approached her two data cards from the pile flew before her. Being who they were she didn't have to inspect them, so she just marked their attendance. And gave a remark.

"If I didn't know better I'd think you were twins. Even your expressions are kinda similar. Anyways, Class 1-A, follow the little ones."

Hearing what the gatekeeper said Xuan Yi looked confused. But seeing Xuan Yu step forth without any questions or greetings he followed. The white gates opened slightly and the two passed through.

Xuan Yi's breath caught, a spell had prevented him from seeing beyond the gate but now he could see.

The tall elegant trees with purple leaves standing on each side of a stone white walkway. Behind them a lawn of neatly cut grass and flowers. Between them were flickering purple lights that drifted in the wind looking like glowing petals. And at the midsection of the pathway was an ornate fountain with a white gate in its center. Under the gate sat a lifelike statue of a man sitting cross-legged, a gunbai on his back. Though it was a statue it floated on the lake and as the waters rose through the white gate it rained down on the man.

The way the petals moved as they danced and the way they seemed to call to him enthralled Xuan Yi. It was a beautiful sight to him and so he merely watched and for a moment Xuan Yu let him before moving on.

"Greetings to Lord Ruo the First."

Reaching the statue Xuan Yu bowed and Xuan Yi who had just caught up did the same. It seemed the statue smiled, and nodded at them. Xuan Yi who was a little scared grabbed onto Xuan Yu's sleeve. Xuan Yu didn't mind it and instead righted himself and followed the purple petals that were playing around them and guiding them.